---
title: Left sidebar
---

import {Steps, TabItem, Tabs} from "@astrojs/starlight/components";

import FlattenedSteps from "../../components/FlattenedSteps.astro";
import KeyboardTip from "../../components/KeyboardTip.astro";
import ZulipTip from "../../components/ZulipTip.astro";
import ComposeAndSendMessage from "../include/_ComposeAndSendMessage.mdx";
import ConfigureChannelLinks from "../include/_ConfigureChannelLinks.mdx";
import FilterChannels from "../include/_FilterChannels.mdx";
import FilterResolvedLeftSidebar from "../include/_FilterResolvedLeftSidebar.mdx";
import FindDmConversationLeftSidebar from "../include/_FindDmConversationLeftSidebar.mdx";
import SearchNoteForDmConversations from "../include/_SearchNoteForDmConversations.mdx";
import StartTopicViaLeftSidebar from "../include/_StartTopicViaLeftSidebar.mdx";
import ViewDmsLeftSidebar from "../include/_ViewDmsLeftSidebar.mdx";

import MoreVerticalIcon from "~icons/zulip-icon/more-vertical";
import PanelLeftIcon from "~icons/zulip-icon/panel-left";
import PanelLeftDashedIcon from "~icons/zulip-icon/panel-left-dashed";
import SquarePlusIcon from "~icons/zulip-icon/square-plus";

The left sidebar in the Zulip web and desktop apps helps you navigate your
conversations, and [start new
ones](#start-a-new-conversation-from-the-left-sidebar). It's divided into
sections:

* **Views** provide various ways to get an overview of your messages.
* The **direct messages** section shows your [direct
  message](/help/direct-messages) conversations.
* [Channels](/help/introduction-to-channels) you are subscribed to are shown
  organized into sections by [folder](/help/channel-folders).

You can customize how channels are organized within the **channels**
section by:

* [Pinning channels](/help/pin-a-channel) so that they appear in a dedicated
  section at the top of the list of channels.
* [Changing channel colors](/help/change-the-color-of-a-channel).
* [Configuring](/help/channel-folders#configure-whether-channels-are-grouped-by-folder-in-the-left-sidebar)
  whether channels are grouped by folder.
* [Configuring](/help/manage-inactive-channels) whether inactive channels are
  hidden.

You can also [configure](#configure-where-channel-links-in-the-left-sidebar-go)
where clicking on channel links in the left sidebar takes you.

## Find a direct message conversation

<SearchNoteForDmConversations />

<Tabs>
  <TabItem label="Desktop/Web">
    <FindDmConversationLeftSidebar />
  </TabItem>
</Tabs>

## Find a channel you're subscribed to

<FilterChannels />

## Adjust what information is shown

There are many ways you can adjust the left sidebar to help you focus on the
information you need in the moment.

### Expand or collapse sections

<Tabs>
  <TabItem label="One section">
    <Steps>
      1. Click the section heading, such as **views**, **direct messages**,
         **pinned channels**, etc., in the left sidebar.
    </Steps>
  </TabItem>

  <TabItem label="All sections">
    <Steps>
      1. Click the **ellipsis** (<MoreVerticalIcon />)
         to the right of the **Filter left sidebar** box in the upper left.
      1. Click **Expand all sections** or **Collapse all sections**, as
         desired.
    </Steps>
  </TabItem>
</Tabs>

### Show more direct message conversations

<Tabs>
  <TabItem label="Desktop/Web">
    <FlattenedSteps>
      <ViewDmsLeftSidebar />
    </FlattenedSteps>

    <ZulipTip>
      To return to the channel list in the left sidebar, click the **back to
      channels** link above the search box.
    </ZulipTip>
  </TabItem>
</Tabs>

### Show all topics in a channel

<Tabs>
  <TabItem label="Desktop/Web">
    <Steps>
      1. Click on a channel in the left sidebar.
      1. Click **show all topics** at the bottom of the list of recent topics in the
         selected channel.
    </Steps>

    <ZulipTip>
      To return to the channel list in the left sidebar, click the **back to
      channels** link above the search box.
    </ZulipTip>
  </TabItem>
</Tabs>

### Filter by whether topics are resolved

<FilterResolvedLeftSidebar />

### Show the left sidebar

<Tabs>
  <TabItem label="Desktop/Web">
    <Steps>
      1. At the top left corner, click the <PanelLeftIcon /> icon.
    </Steps>
  </TabItem>
</Tabs>

### Hide the left sidebar

<Tabs>
  <TabItem label="Desktop/Web">
    <Steps>
      1. At the top left corner, click the <PanelLeftDashedIcon /> icon.
    </Steps>
  </TabItem>
</Tabs>

## Configure where channel links in the left sidebar go

<ConfigureChannelLinks />

## Start a new conversation from the left sidebar

You can start any new conversation from the left sidebar, regardless of what
you’re currently viewing.

### Start a new direct message conversation

<Tabs>
  <TabItem label="Desktop/Web">
    <FlattenedSteps>
      1. Click the **new direct message** (<SquarePlusIcon />)
         button next to the **direct messages** heading in the left sidebar.
      1. Start typing the name of the person or [group](/help/user-groups) you want to
         message, and select their name from the list of suggestions. You can continue
         adding as many message recipients as you like.

      <ComposeAndSendMessage />
    </FlattenedSteps>

    <KeyboardTip>
      You can also use the <kbd>X</kbd> keyboard shortcut to start a new direct
      message conversation.
    </KeyboardTip>
  </TabItem>
</Tabs>

### Start a new topic

<Tabs>
  <TabItem label="Via left sidebar">
    <FlattenedSteps>
      <StartTopicViaLeftSidebar />
    </FlattenedSteps>
  </TabItem>
</Tabs>

## Related articles

* [Reading strategies](/help/reading-strategies)
* [Configuring unread message counters](/help/configure-unread-message-counters)
* [Inbox](/help/inbox)
* [Recent conversations](/help/recent-conversations)
* [Combined feed](/help/combined-feed)
* [Channel feed](/help/channel-feed)
* [List of topics in a channel](/help/list-of-topics)
* [View your mentions](/help/view-your-mentions)
* [Star a message](/help/star-a-message)
